The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment(NICRAT) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the rising cancer burden in the country.
At the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop on psycho-oncology, Director General of the Institute, Professor Usman Malami highlighted the importance of the training of cancer experts and healthcare workers from various Specialists and Teaching Hospitals across the North East region.
Professor Malami, represented by Professor Musa Ali Gombe, emphasized that enhancing the knowledge of health workers is crucial for effective cancer management.
He noted that improved psycho-oncological skills will enable healthcare professionals to communicate better with patients and alleviate their fears.
“This training is timely, particularly in addressing negative perceptions and cultural beliefs associated with cancer in some regions,” Malami stated, urging participants to apply what they learned.
Chief Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and lead Consultant for the training, Professor Adamu Bojude emphasized the need for healthcare workers to acquire psycho-oncological skills to manage the psychosocial challenges that often accompany a cancer diagnosis.
Two of the participants, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad from the Infectious Disease Department at UMTH and A’ishatu Abdulsalam, expressed readiness to learn new techniques for delivering information to patients about their diagnoses.
The training which was in collaboration with the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, aims to equip healthcare providers with the necessary skills to address trauma-related complications experienced by cancer patients.
DAUDA ILIYA
